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Lot essay

Shalcross Jacson (1787-1852) was commissioned a Lieutenant in the 3rd Light Dragoons on 13 February 1806 and advanced to Captain on 27 July 1809 and was landed at Lisbon in August 1811.

The Regiment participated in several minor clashes over the coming months, but did not take part in a general engagement until Salamanca in July 1812. Approximately 330 strong at Salamanca, the 3rd took part in the great charge of Le Marchant's Heavy Brigade, the one decisive stroke of cavalry during the Peninsular War. 'The French troops who survived this onslaught broke and fled....as they looked back, they saw to their horror the Dragoons thundering after them, their long, heavy sabres glinting in the bright sunlight.....'

On 12 August, the Regiment entered Madrid, and in the next month formed part of the force covering the disastrous Bugos siege operations. Although present at Vittoria and Toulouse, it did not see much fighting.